15 NOVEMBER 1930, Page 3

Most people who have sought in vain for paid help

in their homes would tell her that they ask for no more than honesty and a sufficient desire to learn. The conditions of domestic work are immeasurably better than they used to be—the " real " wages are now high— and it is impossible to imagine more important work for the health of the nation than adequate, if not scientific, service in the family, where well-being depends upon wholesome cooking, cleanliness and, in a lesser degree, upon the maintenance of standards of taste and seemliness. Fortunately Miss Bondfield has now declared that domestic service is both " honourable " and " skilled," and she protested impressively against the idea that anyone could " lose status " by taking up this work.

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